Teat cup



j. n w l MJ I@ Aug. H4, 1923.

Patented Aug. 14, 1923.

UNITED STATES' haar TEAT CUP.

' Application filed January 30, 1922. Serial No. 532,539.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER SCHAWANG, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Teat Cups, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to teat oups for use in connection with that type of mechanical niilking machines, wherein a pulsator is employed for the purpose of communicating alternate pressure and vacuum to milking devices whereby to actuate them. More particularly, my invention relates to teat cups, and conten'lplates the provision of means, whereby the application of pressure to the teat will be applied in regular succession, from above downwards, at a plurality of predetermined points, separated longitudinally oi the teat, whereby the stripping of the teat is accomplished without injury or physical discomfort to the cow.

`Grdinary teat cups, wherein a plain rublloer milking tube, or teat cup proper, is relied upon, to communicate pressure to the teat, as by alternating pressure and vacuum impulses, the collapsing action of the tube involves either a compression of the rubber A circumferentially, or wrinkling the wall of the tube to effect a reduction of its diameter in rapid succession. As the rubber will not, at all times, compress evenly, wrinkles will form and thereby pinch the teat and giver rise to inflammation. ,t

A. further object of my invention 1s to provide improved means in a pressure actuated elongation and teat cup, whereby wrinkling of the teat envelope is eliminated, and a simultaneous progressive compression is effected.

With these and other objects to be pointed out, as this specification progresses, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l, is a side elevation of a teat cup embodying my invention, it being shown, diagrammatically, in connection withy a pulsator and a milk rece tacle.

Fig. 2, is a sectiona view on line 2-2 of fri .1.

ig. 3, is a vertical sectional view on line 3--3 of Fi 2, showing the progressive stages of i ation of the pressure pads.

Fig. 4, is a sectional View on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5, is a sectional View on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

`ig. 6, is an enlarged vertical sectional View on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7, is a side view of the lower portion of Fig. 6, showing the spring adjustment means.

F ig. 8, is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

F ig. 9, is a perspective view of the clamp? ingr ring for holding the teat, and

Fig. l0, is a modiiied form of the tube connection with the pressure pads.

The invention comprises an outer casing or shell 1, formed, as here shown, with a circular relatively large top opening 2, and a. tubular lower extremity 8, Jforming a relatively small discharge opening 4 which latter is connected to the milk receiving receptacle 5. The milk receptacle may be of any conventional type, and here forms part of a diagram, wherein 6` designates a pulsator, said pulsator communicating with the vacuum reservoir 7, by means of the conduit 8, said reservoir communicating, by means of conduit 9 with the milk receptacle, as does also the discharge opening 4 of the casing, by means of the conduit 10. The conduit l1 in communication with the pulsator, leads to the to of the casing, where it communi- Cates wit parts hereinafter described. By means of the pulsator,'which may be of any conventional type, atmospheric pressure and vacuum are alternately communicated to the conduit 11. Thus, the discharge 4 communicates with the vacuum reservoir as by the elements l0, 5 and 9.

The casing is further formed, exteriorly, adjacent the opening 2, with an annular groove 12, the body of the casing being preferably tapered toward the'dischargeend.l Thecasing is, generally, circular in crossv section, opposite sides thereof being bulge'd outwardly at 12 to form longitudinal arc-v uate bottomed channels or areas which merge with the interior of the casing. Extending lon 'tudinally parallel with the bottoms of sai channels and located preferably wholly in the area thereof, one for each side of the casing, are the supporting rods'13, .the latter extending from the extreme to of tremities through the wall of the casing, and are formed with suitable heads 14 thereat, to form an air tight joint, the upper ends of the rods being bent laterally and extending through the sides of the casing and having nuts 15 threaded thereon, whereby, when sald nuts are removed, the rods may be withdrawn from the casing through the openings closed by the heads 14.

Arranged, one above the other in superposed relation, within the casing, are the pneumatic collapsible pressure pads 16, made preferably of soft rubber, and in the form of endless tubes. The tubes are preferably made to normally assume a flattened contour, as shown in Fig. 2, and lie flatly against the encircling inner wall of the casing, and extend around the rods 13. This position is best illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the tube is partly broken away to show the interior thereof.

Extending concentrically into the interior of the casing is the teat socket or envelope 17, adapted to comfortably receive the teat. The envelope is circular and tapered and has a conoidal lower end,`provided with a milk outlet opening 18, the latter located in close proximity to the discharge opening 4 of the casing.

At its top, the envelope is formed with a. reduced neck portion 19, whereby to form an annular internal bead 2,0 in the mouth 2l of the envelope. The mouth is funnel-shaped, the curved outwardly flared collapsible wall 22, being formed with a peripheral return curve at its outer edge, which latter terminates with an annular groove 23, said groove portion of the mouth 21, adapted to seat under stress of the rubber, in the groove 12. To prevent dislodgment of the elastic teat receptacle or envelope, a retaining clamp 25 may be provided, which latter is adapted to be sprung under tension of its spring into the groove 23, so that a downward pulling action on the teat receptacle will be effectively resisted. Thev bead 2O in the mouth of the receptacle tends to prevent the latter from slipping off the teat, while the soft annular cushion constituted in the hollow well rounded upper end of the receptacle avoids injury to the udder. In Figure 4, the teat receptacle is shown in its normal circular state, the latter being preferably constructed so that the resistance against collapse will be suiiicient to hold the pressure pads in close conformity to the inner wall of the casing. (Fig. 4.)

Suitably secured to the outside of the casing, preferably longitudinally adjacent one of the ridges 12', formed by the internal channels, is the valve manifold 26, the latter comprising a tubular housing 27, wherein is slidably fitted the piston valve 28, the latter formed with opposite longitudinal ports 29, communicating with the annular port 30 surrounding the valve body. Communicating with the interior of the housing from opposite sides thereof are the conductor tubes 31, arranged in lateral alinement and in vertical rows and suitably spaced vertically, from one another, so that when t-he piston valve is caused to move downward past the tube inlets, the port 30 will progressively communicate with the several pairs of tubes.

To maintain the piston valve in position above the tube inlets, out of communication therewith, I provide the extensile coil spring 32, which latter rests on the plug 33. For the purpose of regulating the tension of the spring, the plug 33 is rendered vertically adjustable in the housing 27, as by means of the longitudinal slot 34, having a plurality of spaced notches forming shoulders 35 in one of its sides, said notches adapted to receive the stop pin 36 extending through the slot and secured to the side of the plug. Thus, the plug may be held at several levels to vary the tension of the spring.

The tubes 31, 31', 31 and 31 lead laterally from opposite sides of the valve manifold to the several pressure pads, each pair of tubes having operative connection, (to alternately communicate pressure and vacuum thereto) with that pressure pad corresponding to its numerical position on the valve manifold; thus 31 is connected to the uppermost pad, 31 to the second pad, 31 to the third and 31 to the lower pad. The tubes may be connected in any suitable manner, the connection shown, consisting of a washer or nut suitably secured to the end of the tubes, whereby the wall of the pad is held against the inner wall of the casing, the tubes being suitably fastened at 37 tothe casing to render the tube connection leakproof.

Figure l0, represents a modified form of connection, 38 designating a flanged stud extending from the inside of the pad through the casing and beyond the outside of the latter, and 39 designating a flat nut threaded on the stud, whereby the pad and casing may be lirmly clamped together to form a joint.. The tube is secured to the stud by means of the nut, which latter is swiveled on the tube as by means of the collar 41. By this arrangement the pads may be easily detached for removal from the teat cup for the purpose of cleansing or renewal. While I have shown two tube connections for each pad. a single connection may be used.

In operation` when atmospheric pressure is admitted to the valve manifold, the piston will be moved under tension of the spring 32 to pass the tube inlets, the pressure being thereby communicated progressively to the tubes during piston travel, thereby inflating the pressure pads gradually from above downwards. In Fig. 5, a pad is shown pracno1y above downwards.

plished by constructing the pads with walls` `to permit the teat and its envelope to flatten,

thereby preventing wrinkling of the envelope wall, and injury to the teat.

In Figure 3, the inflation of the pads is shown to gradually reduce in extent, from This may be accomof varying thicknesses, the top pad having the thinnest Wall to oil'er the least resistance to inflation.

In Figure 6, the tubes are shown gradually slightly smaller in diameter, the lower being the smallest, whereby inflation as shown in Figure 3, may be accomplished. It is to be understood, however, that I am not to be limited to gradually reducing the extent of inflation of the pads.

As the several pads are inated, the teat envelope or receptacle will be slightly elongated, as the crimp forming the rounded surface 20 in the mouth of the envelope, will tend to straighten out as shown in Figure 3. Thus, a relative elongation of the envelope is had concurrently with compression action, whereby an effective stripping movement of the teat is secured. As there is a constant vacuum in the casing the milk is drawn'oil` and discharged into the milk receptacle 5.

I claim:

l. A teat cup comprising an outer casing having lengthwise channels, a collapsible teat-receiving member arranged withln the casing, a series of annular inflatable pads encircling the member wlthin thel casing, and means for securing the pads in the channels and dividing the same into opposed pairs of inflatable sections.

2. A teat cup comprising an outer casing having lengthwise channels, a colla sible teat-receiving member arran ed within the casing, a series of annular inflatable pads encirclin the member within the casing, and a ro extending lengthwise in each channel between the pads and said member and adjustabl secured to the casing for holding the a jacent portions of said pads from said member.

3. A teat cup, comprisin an outer casing, an inner elastlc compressile teat receiving member, connected to the top of said casing, and having a milk outlet at its lower extremity, a lurality of su erposed elastic iniatable pa s normally de ated, enga 'ng opposite sides of said inner member an the wal of said casing, means for successively nfating said pads progressively in tealt stripping direction to compress said inner member, and means in the casing to rovide clearance on opposite sides of sai inner member to permit lateral expansion thereof during a compression operation.

4. A teat cup comprising an outer casing having a lengthwise channel, a colla sible teat-receiving member arranged within the casing, a series of annular inflatable pads encircling the member within the casing, and means in the channel for holding the adacent portions of said pads from said mem- 5. A teat cup comprising an outer casing having an outwardly bulged portion delining a lengthwise channel, a collapsible teatrecelving member arranged within the casing, a series of annular inflatable pads encircling the member within the casing, and a valve manifold nested exteriorly at the base of the bulged portion and having connections with the several pads.

6. A teat cup comprising an outer casing, a collapsible teat-receiving member arran ed within the casin a series of annular in at able pads encirc mg the member within the casing, a valve manifold having a series of ports progressively connected to the pads downwardly, the size of the ports progressivel decreasing downwardly, and a controlling valve in the manifold.

7. The combination with a teat cup, conductor tubes, connecting different portions of the cup to a pulsator to alternately inflate and deflate said portions, a valve housing 1n communication with said tubes disposed .transversely thereof, a valve normally closin g the pulsator connections, said valve slidable in said housing responsive to an inliatlng operation for progressively opening sald pulsator connections, and means for varying the responsiveness of the valve to the pulsator.

8. The combination with a teat cu connection between different portions of t e cup and a pulsator, a valve in operative connection with the connections of said dii-ferent portions and slidable transversely thereof and actuated by the pulsations therein, for controlling the order of distribution of pulsations to said different portions, and adjustable resilient means o posing a sliding movement of said valve fidr regulating the resistance of said valve to actuating pulsations.

9. A teat cup including a valve manifold having a series of ports progressively connected to different portions of the cup in a downward direction, a preure actuated valve in `the manifold, a resisting spring bearing against the valve, and an adjustable su port for said sprin n testimony whereo I aliix m si ature. PETER SCH 

